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Incompatibility of Myers Briggs Types

Besides Myers Briggs compatibility models, there are also several theories on the incompatibility of the types that emerged at the same time and have been long studied by psychologists and couple therapists in order to decide their viability. I will present three of them which appear to be the most popular. How reliable they actually are, is something you’ll have to decide for yourself.

Interaction Styles Incompatibility

This theory is based on the Interaction Styles model, which proposes four main categories in which the 16 types are grouped. It is based on four preferred ways of social interacting and it’s usually very helpful in explaining and improving team work dynamics. For more clarity I will summarize each of these categories and tell you where each type fits:

Chart-the-Course: INFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, ISTP
These types are usually talented at planning and determining a feasible couse of action for attaining a certain goal. They’re usually analytical and conceptualizing and shine at forseeing possible obstacles and outlining a good strategy in a variety of situations.

Get-thing-Going: ENFP, ESFJ, ENTP, ESFP
These types are natural motivators, great at energizing and involving people in a project. They’re upbeat, enthusiastic and open to new ideas and possibilities. Can be charismatic leaders with very expressive personalities and a desire to engage others in everything they do.

In-Charge: ENFJ, ENTJ, ESTJ, ESTP
Goal-oriented, direct and efficient, these types are natural leaders who focus mainly on results and effectiveness. They are energetic action people, fast decision-makers and very aware of whatever needs to be corrected and improved. They shine at mobilizing resources, mentoring people and monitoring a project.

Behind-the-Scenes: INFP, INTP, ISFJ, ISFP
These types are usually talented at defining, claryfing and improving different aspects of a project. They are patient, reserved and prefer to work in the backgound, where they gather information, mine for new data and consult different sources in order to better understand the process. They do well in research and counseling.

The Interaction Styles incompatibility theory suggests that the following styles are very likely to experience great stress when interacting:

This model is based on Beebe’s 8 functions theory and it states that incompatibility happens between the types with the same functions but opposite attitudes.

It has been verified by psychologist Ken Liberty through a live research that included several married couples, which revealed that the types with inverted attitudes (listed below) were having the most trouble getting along in the relationship. Liberty described them as “fighting every other minute”.

ESTJ least compatible with: ISTP

ESTP least compatible with: ISTJ

ESFJ least compatible with: ISFP

ESFP least compatible with: ISFJ

ENTJ least compatible with: INTP

ENTP least compatible with: INTJ

ENFJ least compatible with: INFP

ENFP least compatible with: INFJ

ISTJ least compatible with: ESTP

ISTP least compatible with: ESTJ

ISFJ least compatible with: ESFP

ISFP least compatible with: ESFJ

INTJ least compatible with: ENTP

INTP least compatible with: ENTJ

INFJ least compatible with: ENFP

INFP least compatible with: ENFJ

McAlpine's “Dynamic Opposites”

This is the second incompatibility theory proposed by McAlpine and is based this time on opposing functions. The preferred cognitive process of one type is the least-conscious process of the other, thus creating the opportunity for a lot of tension and misunderstanding. Here are this model’s incompatible types:

Comments

Hmmm, that's really interesting because I'd heard that same-dominant-function-with-reversed-focus was the BEST combination. As such I've always thought that INFJ was the perfect match for me as an ENTP (Chose the F rather than the T partly to cover all our bases and counteract my apparent coldheartedness, and partly because I just love INFJs, both in theory and in practice)

But now this is telling me that that is exactly the opposite of what I shoudl go for! gaahhh

Hi, I am really looking for some information about the type that I may potentially match well with long term - as an ENTP I read your blog and links and began to think "cut the crap and just tell me the answer" :-) As such, I wonder if you can advise, simply, there seems to be a lot of contradictory arguments...? Would be very much appreciated.

The truth is it's not that simple to make sense of this bundle of theories. Besides, compatibility is not determined by Myers Briggs type alone, but a series of various factors (including social environment and intellectual ability).

I myself have developed one theory relating to Myers Briggs compatibility. It is the one based on the secondary function (you can find it in Compatibility for MB types part 1). So obviously if I had to advise you, I'd go with my own explanation. :)

In any case a general rule that seems to apply to compatibility issues is that often (but not always), people who share the same S/N and P/J preference tend to get along better.

Caleb - Until recently, had a ENTP/INFJ relationship of 7 years, and a ENTP/ISFJ 8 year relationship before that. They both had good qualities.

INTP: This is a good post. Thanks for spending the time communicating all those different takes on compatibility.

It would be interesting to see if there's anything to marriage satisfaction and type. Who has this data though, and down to a more base question - do the types we're trying to describe though current typing describe enough?

The Big-five and Neo-PI have 5 and 6 dimensions of personality, but as near as I can see, nobody has been able to put them into a theory of types yet (at least one that intuitively 'feels right' like the MBTI or Enneagram).

Other than a couple studies like the following, it doesn't seem like science pays much attention to mating and personality:

Socionics IMO has the most interesting/detailed theory on how different personality types relate to each other. In that system, I should be seeking out my dual, an ISFP. Don't know many ISFPs, so it's hard to prove/disprove their duality matchup.

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